Rules of the game

In April 2005 a new Statutory Instrument (No 480) came into force affecting all opticians/optical practices providing General Ophthalmic Services in England only. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 paved the way for these changes to be made. The new regulations primarily govern how primary care trusts (PCTs) manage 'lists', but also the criteria for new registrants, disciplinary processes available and rules to manage 'mobile service' providers.

Similar arrangements have already been made or are being made to the list arrangements for the other three NHS primary care professions (doctors, pharmacists and dentists). Two of the most fundamental changes can be demonstrated, by the changes to registration on GOS 'lists' and the procedural requirements of counter-signing GOS forms.